Originally published in 1941 under the title Mask of Sanity: An Attempt to Clarify Some Issues About the So-Called Psychopathic Personality, this influential book became a landmark in psychiatric case studies and was repeatedly revised, expanded and reprinted in subsequent editions—here we present the 3rd edition published in 1955. The Mask of Sanity is distinguished by its central thesis that the psychopath exhibits normal function according to standard psychiatric criteria, yet privately engages in destructive behavior. The book was intended to assist with detection and diagnosis of the elusive psychopath for purposes of palliation and offered no cure for the condition itself. The idea of a master deceiver secretly possessed of no moral or ethical restraints, yet behaving in public with excellent function, electrified American society and led to heightened interest in both psychological introspection and the detection of hidden psychopaths in society at large, leading to a refinement of the word itself into what was perceived to be a less stigmatizing term, “sociopath”.

A cause celebre in the annals of N.Z. crime, the story of a man accused of murdering his family in 1994; goes behind the evidence to show how the life of this family founded on Christian religion becomes distorted into a cult, a sealed unit, a secret society of six.

What if society wasn't fundamentally rational, but was motivated by insanity? This thought sets Jon Ronson on an utterly compelling adventure into the world of madness. Along the way, Jon meets psychopaths, those whose lives have been touched by madness and those whose job it is to diagnose it, including the influential psychologist who developed the Psychopath Test, from whom Jon learns the art of psychopath-spotting. A skill which seemingly reveals that madness could indeed be at the heart of everything . . . Combining Jon Ronson's trademark humour, charm and investigative incision, The Psychopath Test is both entertaining and honest, unearthing dangerous truths and asking serious questions about how we define normality in a world where we are increasingly judged by our maddest edges.

Someone is threatening the Goldbloom family, powerful third generation investment bankers. It starts with a blackmail letter, threatening to reveal to the World press that Manhattan Gold has been insider trading and large amounts of money has found its way into the pockets of the family members and main shareholders. With no way to comply to the blackmailers demands, the Goldbloom family find themselves at the mercy of a dangerous person, willing to do anything to torment the family and bring them down. Four people close to the family lose their life without warning.Charlie Hart is recuited by Gresham CPC to go undercover and look into who this person could be. Evidence leads her to believe this person is close to the family as they seem to know their routines and movements. She fits into their social circle, but close protection agent, Brody McCaine, is not happy that Gresham CPC are using his girlfriend as bait for a psychopathic killer who is so emotionally detached that he can sing the lyrics, but cant respond to the melody of normal human emotions. With all the colourful characters of the Charlie Hart crime fiction series in place for a new mystery of chilling murder and torture.

Why does a gifted psychiatrist suddenly begin to torment his own beloved wife? How can a ninety-pound woman carry a massive air conditioner to the second floor of her home, install it in a window unassisted, and then not remember how it got there? Why would a brilliant feminist law student ask her fiancé to treat her like a helpless little girl? How can an ordinary, violence-fearing businessman once have been a gun-packing vigilante prowling the crime districts for a fight? A startling new study in human consciousness, The Myth of Sanity is a landmark book about forgotten trauma, dissociated mental states, and multiple personality in everyday life. In its groundbreaking analysis of childhood trauma and dissociation and their far-reaching implications in adult life, it reveals that moderate dissociation is a normal mental reaction to pain and that even the most extreme dissociative reaction-multiple personality-is more common than we think. Through astonishing stories of people whose lives have been shattered by trauma and then remade, The Myth of Sanity shows us how to recognize these altered mental states in friends and family, even in ourselves.

For the last year Tricia Gleason shifted back and forth from fishing guide on Tillamook Bay to homicide detective. In the latter role she “fished” for clues to solve two murders. To celebrate the new day Tricia makes the decision to leave her fishing and detective roles. And, to the voice of her heart, sets the goal to become a minister. Puts her detective hat and her fishing waders in the closet. Closes the door. Hope? To attend classes at Ocean Divinity School in Berkeley, California and learn about the Bible. Hope? To be a good seminary Field Work student at a Palo Alto Community Congregational Church. Hope? To be effective in leading a college church group of Stanford students. But then. Her first night a troubled Stanford student wants to share personal problems. Tricia glances at her watch, the student reads her dismissing body language and leaves. Tricia doesn’t see her again...until she is in the morgue. When the casket closes on this coed Tricia’s closet door opens. At first she doesn’t know the murderer is in her midst, closer than bad breath. On goes the detective hat. Tricia learns she is dealing with more than two women, only distinguished by reddish-orange hair and neon-blue hair. Tricia surmises there is a third person, a primary identity. And then she knew: the murderer actually is someone whose public persona is rational and impressive. This person wears a mask of sanity, hiding the blue and red haired impersonations. As Tricia moves in there is only one problem...she has the wrong sane person in her sights. Would the mask of sanity ever be ripped off?

Secret Smile is a gripping psychological thriller from the Top Ten bestselling author, Nicci French You have an affair. You finish it. You think it's over. You're dead wrong . . . Miranda Cotton thinks she's put boyfriend Brendan out of her life for good. But two weeks later, he's intimately involved with her sister. Soon what began as an embarrassment becomes threatening - then even more terrifying than a girl's worst nightmare. Because this time Brendan will stop at nothing to be part of Miranda's life - even if it means taking it from her . . . Praise for Nicci French: 'Creepy, genuinely gripping' Heat